ARC Review: Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
10:00
Series: None
Author: Michelle Quach
Published September 16th 2021 by Usborne Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
Falling in love wasn't part of the plan. Eliza Quan fully expects to be voted the next editor-in-chief of her school paper. She works hard, she respects the facts, and she has the most experience. Len DiMartile is an injured star baseball player who seems to have joined the paper just to have something to do. Naturally, the staff picks Len to be their next leader. Because while they may respect Eliza, they don't particularly like her - but right now, Eliza is not here to be liked. She's here to win. But someone does like Eliza. A lot. Shame it's the boy standing in the way of her becoming editor-in-chief....
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Eliza Quan's only concern is to become the next editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper. And, considering she's the only person standing for it, she's a shoo-in - she doesn't have to campaign. Which is a good thing, because she's not very personable. But when it's revealed that Len DiMartile, the injured baseball player who joined the paper late last year has tossed his hand in the ring, and more importantly, is chosen by the staff to lead, Eliza see's red. She angrily writes an exposes - for herself - denouncing the sexism of her school, and venting her anger, which then becomes the front page story of the next edition. Now, Eliza is facing backlash for the story from some of her male peers, but the female population of the school believe she's on to something, and she's become a feminist hero. So when she gets closer to Len, and it's clear they both like each other, would it be possible for them to be together?
This was a wholly refreshing book, and such an enjoyable read. I relished the fact that Eliza was so 'unlikable', and loved her strong stance of what she wanted, and how she didn't care if people were put off that she told them like it is. She faced so much slack for standing up against the sexist ideas that were rife in her school, and brushed it off like a water off a duck's back. But, underneath it all, it was clear that she enjoyed the new friendships she was forming, and was starting to even rethink some of her own stereotypes and prejudices she may have had. The headteacher of the school was a joke, and I'm glad that Eliza had the support she did. Her and Len's relationship was sweet, and though Len had liked her from the start, it was clear that Eliza's feelings developed slowly, and naturally, and they were truly a good match for each other. This book was fantastic, and portrayed just what teenage girls are facing in school and life these days - everyone should read it!
Dates Read:
June 13, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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